RECTOR’S SUSPENSION NOT LINKED TO TETFUND FUNDS — TARABA MINISTRY
JALINGO — The Taraba State Ministry of Tertiary Education has dismissed reports linking the suspension of the Rector of the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology (COAST), Jalingo, Dr. Yakubu Ali Garjila, to a dispute over TETFund intervention funds.
The ministry said the suspension was instead connected to an allegation that the institution failed to implement the state government’s directive on a 50 per cent reduction in tuition fees.
The clarification was contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr. Mike Dio Jen, following reports alleging that the Commissioner had demanded TETFund intervention funds from the suspended Rector.
According to the ministry, the allegation under investigation is that the college allegedly continued to collect tuition fees without implementing the approved 50 per cent reduction.
The Commissioner said the matter was considered serious enough to warrant an investigation, leading to the constitution of an investigative panel to examine the circumstances and establish the facts.
> “The allegation is that the College continued to collect tuition fees without implementing the approved reduction,” the Commissioner said.
The ministry stressed that the investigation is still ongoing and that no final conclusion should be reached until the panel completes its assignment and submits its report.
MINISTRY REJECTS TETFUND CLAIM
The ministry specifically rejected reports suggesting that the Rector’s suspension arose from a disagreement over TETFund intervention funds.
TETFund is a federal intervention agency established to provide supplementary support to public tertiary institutions, including funding for infrastructure and other approved interventions.
The ministry said the issue currently under investigation concerns compliance with the state government’s tuition-fee policy and not the management of TETFund intervention funds.
INVESTIGATIVE PANEL TO ESTABLISH FACTS
The ministry said the investigative panel has been mandated to examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged non-compliance with the 50 per cent fee reduction directive.
It urged members of the public to allow the panel to complete its work before drawing conclusions about the suspended Rector or other officials involved in the matter.
The ministry also reaffirmed the importance of due process, transparency and accountability in resolving the issue.
MINISTRY URGES MEDIA TO VERIFY REPORTS
The Ministry of Tertiary Education acknowledged the role of the media in investigating alleged wrongdoing and holding public institutions accountable.
However, it urged journalists and media organisations to ensure accuracy, fairness, balance and proper verification before publishing reports concerning sensitive issues involving public institutions and officials.
The ministry called on media practitioners to seek clarification from relevant authorities and give all parties an opportunity to respond before publishing reports.
It also urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid relying on unverified reports while the investigation continues.
GOVERNMENT AWAITS PANEL’S REPORT
The ministry said the outcome of the investigation would be communicated through appropriate official channels after the panel submits its findings.
The development comes amid a wider leadership dispute at COAST, Jalingo. Recent reports indicate that the state government has directed the Acting Rector, Alhaji Ibrahim Gimba Buba, to assume full administrative control of the institution while the suspended Rector remains out of office.
For now, the ministry maintains that the suspension is connected to the alleged non-implementation of the 50 per cent tuition-fee reduction and not a dispute over TETFund funds, while the investigative process is expected to establish the facts surrounding the matter.
